Where Two Paths Converge

We've challenged our members and readers to use their talents to write about the devastation in Haiti and the response of Canadian Christians. The form doesn't matter. It might be an article for a major newspaper, a poem on a blog, a letter to friends, a song, a podcast….

We'll post some links, but feel free to post a comment with a link to your writing even if you aren't a member.

Comments will appear at the end of the page.

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Feb. 14

From Janet Sketchey:

On Feb 12, I posted "Where is God in Haiti?"

I also touched on the earthquake in one of my devotional posts, "Good Works".

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Feb. 8

From Denise Rumble:

I blogged about Haiti on my blog for The Word Guild's Managing Director.

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Jan. 30

From Judith Lawrence:

I just posted a devotional written by Nan Kosowan on my site. The link is www.judithlawrence.ca/guestposts.php

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Jan. 27

From Belinda Burston:

I just posted a beautiful video clip called "Song for Haiti" on my blog, Whatever He Says. It was composed by one of our Christian Horizons staff in Blind River. Whatever He Says: A Song for Haiti

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From Ann Brent:

I serve as the Director of National Ministries for Empower Ministries.

Empower Ministries works with national churches around the world, to strengthen and equip them with the tools they need to reach their countries for Christ. When a disaster occurs such as the earthquake in Haiti, our strength is in the already established relationships we have with national Christian leaders in the country. Because of our close ties with these indigenous church networks, we are able to move quickly and effectively to help those affected.

Time and again, we have seen that when disasters strike around the world, they are followed by a turning to God. By providing compassionate assistance to the suffering people of Haiti, we also open the door for the Haitian believers to share the Gospel and the hope they have in Jesus. With that in mind, we are also printing New Testaments to provide spiritual food down the road, after the urgent physical needs have been addressed.

Please join us in praying for the people of Haiti – both for their immediate needs to be met and that God will use this disaster – just as He used Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar two years ago – to bring many souls to salvation in Jesus Christ.

Please visit our website to read more about our work in Haiti: www.empowerministries.ca

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Jan. 24

From Marcia Laycock:

I posted on Haiti today at www.noveljourney.blogspot.com and at www.marcialaycock.blogspot.com

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Jan. 22

From Eleanor Shepherd:

My husband is on the way to Haiti with a shipment of medicines today. He's being sent by his company Health Partners International of Canada.

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Jan. 21

From Kimberley Payne:

I wrote a small prayer on my blog. I prefer to say my prayers out loud rather than write them, so this was a stretch for me.
 
The prayer can be found at: http://www.fitforfaith.blogspot.com/

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From Patricia Paddey:

In my work as an associate producer with Listen Up TV (www.listenuptv.com), I've helped to line up guests from various Christian churches, ministries and agencies who will be part of a special, half-hour round table program that looks at the missionary response to Haiti.

The program is slated to air on Sunday, February 7 at 11:00 am on Global TV and will include representatives from World Vision Canada, cbm Canada, Christian Children's Fund, Intercede International. Compassion Canada and Mission Aviation Fellowship among others.

In my role as a freelance writer, I am writing about Haiti for World Vision Canada.

And I've written about Haiti on my personal blog, here: http://patriciapaddey.wordpress.com/2010/01/15/haiti/

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Jan. 20

From Lisa Waites:

I am a musician and composer, and I wrote a song (see lyrics below) about Haiti which my nine year old son Joshua made into a video clip.  You can view the piece (less than three minutes) by following this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-g1uO65qX4 or by visiting youtube and typing "Haiti Is Holy Ground."

The clip has been screened by congregations of several different denominations in many provinces since the earthquake hit, with more viewings planned for the 24th and 31st of January. I'm not sure if this can be of use to you, but if it is, please feel free to share it as widely as you desire, for the glory of God and the healing of Haiti.

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From Kathleen Gibson:

Thanks for the prompt to write about Haiti. I was just clicking ‘Send’ on my weekly faith and life newspaper column when your note came in. I publish my columns on my site as well…here are my 500 words on the Haitian disaster.  www.kathleengibson.ca/sunnysideup

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From Jane Harris-Zsovan:

I have blogged on Haiti and I'm adding a link to World Vision in the next five minutes. Unfortunately, my post is kind of downer. It appears Canada's aid efforts are so ineffective in Haiti  the BBC couldn't find the HMCS Athabaskan or any Canadian medics at Leogane. (Apparently, not at Jacmel, either ) Scanned the international press and we are deluding ourselves that Canada is a major contributor to solutions in Haiti.

But In order to offer a positive action plan for Canadians, I suggested that giving to a non-profit is more effective in helping Haitians than sending ships and soldiers. I've mentioned World Vision specifically.

My blog: Please Prove Me Wrong

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From Sandy Hazell:

I am the National Media Coordinator for cbm Canada (formerly known as Christian Blind Mission). Right now I'm focusing on raising awareness of cbm's mandate to help people with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world – particularly those who have been affected by the disaster in Haiti.

I'm writing news releases for Canadian media (Christian and secular – broadcast and print) and cbm's website www.cbmcanada.org, arranging media interviews for cbm Directors, and tracking reports from cbm's emergency relief coworkers on the field. cbm has been serving people with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world for over 100 years. Since 1976, cbm Canada has been helping over 80,000 people with disabilities every year in Haiti.

My heart is really broken for these people. We found out today that a school for children with disabilities that cbm had sponsored collapsed during the earthquake. Many children were trapped beneath the rubble of the school. They cried for help for 3 days but no one could reach them. Seven children died along with two of their teachers. These are the stories that are so hard to share, but so much a part of our work. Can you imagine a blind child being trapped beneath rubble, crying out for his mother?

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From Grace Fox:

Here’s a link to my blog post about Haiti. http://www.gracefox.com/2010/01/15/thoughts-about-haiti/

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From John Redekop:

Thanks for the information about World Vision and the Haiti situation. I heartily endorse this approach. Let's hope and pray that much support will come in. I must say, however, that we are channeling our financial support through the Mennonite Central Committee where my wife works as a volunteer. It is another exceptionally reliable, low cost relief and development agency.

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From Helen Bergen:

In response to your email re: World Vision's relief efforts in Haiti, I posted links on the blog site for LivingStones Magazine at http://livingstonesmagazine.wordpress.com

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From Claudia Van Riesen:

I'm the Communications Manager for Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada. I’ve attended your writing conferences since the early years when they were held at Redeemer. Your members may be interested in checking our website at www.mafc.org for continuing Haiti reports.

Here is the CTS interview with our Canadian pilot Jason Krul at Pearson International Airport: http://100huntley.com/video.php?id=_zrm-z2m378. Jason and his wife Wilhelmina have served Haiti since 2008 and were in their home near Port-au-Prince during the earthquake. Jason is also a paramedic, so has stitched up people’s big skin gashes and set their broken bones. MAF normally has five pilots (and a total staff of 21) serving Haiti, but our disaster response team is also in there now to help.

Here’s a comment from Karen H. Carr, Director, Community Coalition for Haiti (CCH):

“With the help of MAF, CCH's trauma team and medical supplies are in Jacmel helping heal the injured, hurt and hopeless … MAF has been a constant source of hope for all of the relief organizations trying to get supplies and medical personnel into Haiti. For the Haitians who are suffering and those bringing help, hearing the MAF flights overhead gives us more reason to believe that things will recover here and that more help is on the way. On the ground, gas is running low, but available. There are few medical supplies here except the ones we brought in by MAF. There are several medical teams here, but they are facing treating over 2,000 patients at the hospital and clinic. In the rural areas, thousands more need assistance. Aftershocks were felt this morning and at 3AM. People are still sleeping outside.”

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